Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii

About this activity

Speaking of Pompeii, it is impossible not to immediately think of the archaeological excavations, known and envied by the whole world.

What not everyone knows, however, is that a very short distance from the Excavations is a true beacon of Christianity: the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii, a majestic late 19th-century basilica that has been a must-see destination for devotees of the Virgin for decades now.

The Shrine of Pompeii is one of the main places of Marian worship in Italy, but it turns out to be magnificent to visit even for nonbelievers: with its imposing yet elegant structure, its frescoed ceilings, and its wealth of works of art, the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii can captivate and astound any visitor.

History of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii

The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii was born at the behest of lawyer Bartolo Longo, proclaimed blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1980.

Longo had moved to Pompeii to administer the estate of Countess De Fusco, a charitable woman who was always intent on supporting charitable works for the needy. In 1872 Longo had occasion to observe the state of decay in which the Parish of the Most Holy Savior in Pompeii was deteriorating, and it seems that it was on this occasion that he heard a voice announce to him that if he propagated the Rosary, he might be saved. Struck by this event, Longo decided to establish in the Church of the Most Holy Savior itself a confraternity dedicated to the Holy Rosary, which would be responsible for raising funds for the construction of a large shrine dedicated to the Virgin.

Thanks to the very large number of offerings received from the faithful from all over the world, the foundation stone of the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary was laid on May 8, 1876, and would be finished and consecrated in 1891. In 1901 it also acquired the status of papal basilica at the behest of Pope Leo XIII, while in 1925 the imposing bell tower flanking the church was also completed. Given the constantly increasing amount of pilgrims, the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii required expansion works that brought the Basilica to occupy an area of about 5,000 m², making it capable of accommodating more than 6,000 worshippers.

In the 1940s the Sanctuary faced some very harsh trials that threatened its survival: the eruption of Vesuvius in 1944 and the arrival of Nazi troops in fact threatened to take this architectural jewel from us, fortunately without success.

Why visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii

The Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary It is already striking from its magnificent facade, composed of two distinct orders culminating in the large marble statue depicting the Virgin, more than 3 meters high, which towers over the building and seems almost to protect the entire surrounding square, dedicated precisely to Blessed Bartolo Longo.

Inside, the Basilica consists of three wide naves with beautifully frescoed ceilings. Especially striking is the huge dome that towers above the nave at 57 meters high, surrounded by four smaller domes. The pilgrims' favorite destination, however, is the painting of Our Lady of Pompeii, an object of deep veneration to which miracles have been attributed. The canvas is placed on the high altar in a frame consisting of polychrome marble and precious materials, surrounded by 15 copper medallions on which Vincenzo Paliotti depicted the 15 Mysteries of the Rosary, which in 2018 were supplemented by the addition of the 5 Mysteries of Light.

The faithful have often enriched the votive image by placing jewelry and precious stones on it in exchange for a grace received, but this custom has been discouraged to avoid damage to the painting. Among Marian devotees, the rite of the Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, written in 1883 by Blessed Bartolo Longo, recited twice a year: on May 8, the anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the Shrine, and on the first Sunday in October, the month dedicated to the Rosary.